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SACE Stage 2 Italian (beginners) study materials
SACE Stage 2 Italian (beginners) study resources

SACE Stage 2 Italian (beginners) practice questions

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Question 1School assessment (internal assessment)

Choose the correct form of the definite article: ___ zaino è pesante.

  1. Il
  2. Lo Correct answer.
  3. La
  4. L'

Explanation

Masculine nouns beginning with z require the article lo, so the phrase becomes lo zaino. The article il is used before most masculine nouns starting with a consonant other than s+consonant or z.

Question 2School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the present tense of essere?

  1. Noi siete studenti di italiano.
  2. Noi siamo studenti di italiano. Correct answer.
  3. Noi sono studenti di italiano.
  4. Noi è studenti di italiano.

Explanation

The subject noi takes the verb form siamo in the present tense of essere. Each person has its own ending, so io sono, tu sei, lui è, noi siamo, voi siete, loro sono.

Question 3School assessment (internal assessment)

Complete the sentence with the correct present tense of avere: Marco ___ due sorelle.

  1. hanno
  2. hai
  3. ho
  4. ha Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject Marco is third person singular, so avere becomes ha. The other forms belong to different persons: ho with io, hai with tu, hanno with loro.

Question 4School assessment (internal assessment)

Which greeting is appropriate when you leave a shop in the evening?

  1. Buon appetito
  2. Buonanotte
  3. Arrivederci Correct answer.
  4. Buongiorno

Explanation

Arrivederci is a polite way to say goodbye and works in most situations, including leaving a shop. Buonanotte is only used late at night before sleeping, and buon appetito is said before a meal.

Question 5School assessment (internal assessment)

What is the correct plural of the feminine noun 'la chiave'?

  1. I chiavi
  2. Le chiave
  3. Le chiavi Correct answer.
  4. Le chiavei

Explanation

Feminine nouns ending in -e form the plural in -i, and the article becomes le. So la chiave becomes le chiavi.

Question 6School assessment (internal assessment)

Which number matches the written form 'settantacinque'?

  1. 75 Correct answer.
  2. 65
  3. 85
  4. 57

Explanation

Settanta means seventy and cinque means five, so settantacinque is 75. Italian numbers from 71 to 79 join the tens word to the unit without a space.

Question 7School assessment (internal assessment)

Choose the correct question word: ___ abiti? - Abito a Milano.

  1. Perché
  2. Quando
  3. Dove Correct answer.
  4. Chi

Explanation

The reply gives a place, Milano, so the question asks where. Dove means where and introduces questions about location.

Question 8School assessment (internal assessment)

Which expression correctly tells the time for 1:00?

  1. È una ora.
  2. Sono la una.
  3. È l'una. Correct answer.
  4. È le una.

Explanation

For one o'clock Italian uses the singular È l'una, with the article l' before una. All other hours use the plural Sono le plus the number.

Question 9School assessment (internal assessment)

Complete with the correct form of the adjective: Ho due fratelli ___.

  1. alti Correct answer.
  2. alte
  3. alta
  4. alto

Explanation

The adjective must agree with fratelli, a masculine plural noun, so it takes the ending -i. Adjectives ending in -o change to -i in the masculine plural.

Question 10School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence uses the passato prossimo correctly?

  1. Ieri andrò al cinema.
  2. Ieri sono andato al cinema. Correct answer.
  3. Ieri andavo al cinema.
  4. Ieri vado al cinema.

Explanation

A finished action in the past needs the passato prossimo, formed with an auxiliary and a past participle. Andare takes essere, giving sono andato.

Question 11School assessment (internal assessment)

Complete the sentence with the correct direct object pronoun: Conosci Maria? Sì, ___ conosco bene.

  1. le
  2. lo
  3. la Correct answer.
  4. gli

Explanation

Maria is a feminine singular direct object, so the pronoun is la. The pronoun comes before the conjugated verb.

Question 12School assessment (internal assessment)

Which preposition completes the sentence correctly? Vado ___ Italia ogni estate.

  1. a
  2. da
  3. in Correct answer.
  4. di

Explanation

Countries and regions usually take in when expressing movement to them, so we say vado in Italia. The preposition a is used with cities instead.

Question 13School assessment (internal assessment)

Choose the correct form: Se avessi tempo, ___ volentieri in montagna.

  1. sono andato
  2. andrò
  3. andrei Correct answer.
  4. vado

Explanation

A hypothetical clause with the imperfect subjunctive (avessi) requires the conditional in the main clause. The correct conditional form for io is andrei.

Question 14School assessment (internal assessment)

Which pronoun correctly replaces 'a mia madre' in the sentence? Scrivo una lettera a mia madre.

  1. La scrivo una lettera.
  2. Loro scrivo una lettera.
  3. Le scrivo una lettera. Correct answer.
  4. Gli scrivo una lettera.

Explanation

A mia madre is a feminine singular indirect object, replaced by le. Indirect object pronouns answer the question to whom and differ from direct object pronouns like la.

Question 15School assessment (internal assessment)

What does the sentence 'Mi piace leggere i romanzi gialli' mean?

  1. I would like to write detective novels.
  2. I am reading a yellow detective novel.
  3. I read detective novels quickly.
  4. I like reading detective novels. Correct answer.

Explanation

With piacere the person is the indirect object, so mi piace means I like, and the subject is the activity leggere. Gialli refers to detective or crime novels in Italian culture.

Question 16School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the comparative?

  1. Roma è più grande a Milano.
  2. Roma è più grande che Milano.
  3. Roma è più grande di Milano. Correct answer.
  4. Roma è più grande come Milano.

Explanation

Comparisons of inequality between two nouns use più ... di before the second element. The word che is used when comparing verbs, adjectives or quantities, not two simple nouns.

Question 17School assessment (internal assessment)

Complete with the correct form of bello: Che ___ vestito!

  1. bella
  2. bello
  3. bel Correct answer.
  4. begli

Explanation

Before a masculine singular noun beginning with an ordinary consonant, bello shortens to bel, giving che bel vestito. The forms bello, begli and bella follow the same pattern as the definite articles.

Question 18School assessment (internal assessment)

Which expression uses the correct form of the verb dovere in the present tense?

  1. Tu deve studiare stasera.
  2. Tu dovete studiare stasera.
  3. Tu devo studiare stasera.
  4. Tu devi studiare stasera. Correct answer.

Explanation

Modal verbs follow the subject like any other verb, and the tu form of dovere is devi. The infinitive studiare stays unchanged after the modal.

Question 19School assessment (internal assessment)

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: Non ho ___ amici a Roma.

  1. qualche
  2. nessuno Correct answer.
  3. nessun
  4. alcun

Explanation

In negative sentences Italian normally uses nessuno to mean not any. Before a masculine plural noun it becomes nessuno, so nessuno amici is not correct, but the invariable form for plurals is nessuno... actually the standard is non ho nessun amico; with plural amici the idiomatic choice is non ho amici. Among the options, nessuno is the negative indefinite pronoun.

Question 20School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the reflexive verb svegliarsi in the present tense?

  1. Io mi sveglia alle sette.
  2. Io ti sveglio alle sette.
  3. Io si sveglio alle sette.
  4. Io mi sveglio alle sette. Correct answer.

Explanation

Reflexive verbs take a reflexive pronoun matching the subject, so io uses mi. The verb then follows the normal first person ending, giving mi sveglio.

Question 21School assessment (internal assessment)

What is the meaning of 'La stazione è di fronte alla banca'?

  1. The station is opposite the bank. Correct answer.
  2. The station is far from the bank.
  3. The station is behind the bank.
  4. The station is next to the bank.

Explanation

The phrase di fronte a means opposite or facing. The preposition a contracts with the article la to form alla, so alla banca means to the bank.

Question 22School assessment (internal assessment)

Choose the correct form of the verb in the imperfect: Quando ero bambino, ___ sempre al parco.

  1. giocavo Correct answer.
  2. ho giocato
  3. gioco
  4. giocherò

Explanation

The imperfect describes habitual actions in the past, so giocavo fits a repeated childhood routine. The time expression quando ero bambino signals this habitual meaning.

Question 23School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence uses the imperative correctly to give a formal instruction to a stranger?

  1. Scusi, mi può dire dov'è la fermata? Correct answer.
  2. Scusarsi, mi può dire dov'è la fermata?
  3. Scusa, mi puoi dire dov'è la fermata?
  4. Scusate, mi potete dire dov'è la fermata?

Explanation

Formal address to a single stranger uses the lei form, giving scusi and può. The informal scusa and puoi are for people you know well.

Question 24School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly expresses a future plan?

  1. Domani parto per Napoli. Correct answer.
  2. Domani partii per Napoli.
  3. Domani partirei per Napoli.
  4. Domani partivo per Napoli.

Explanation

Italian often uses the present tense for near future plans, especially with a time marker like domani. Parto therefore expresses a planned departure.

Question 25School assessment (internal assessment)

Which word correctly completes the sentence? Ho comprato del pane ___ fornaio.

  1. nel
  2. sul
  3. al
  4. dal Correct answer.

Explanation

The preposition da indicates the place or person you get something from, so dal fornaio means from the baker. Da contracts with the article il to form dal.

Question 26School assessment (internal assessment)

Which greeting is appropriate when you meet someone for the first time in the afternoon?

  1. Buongiorno Correct answer.
  2. Arrivederci
  3. Buonasera
  4. Buonanotte

Explanation

Buongiorno is used from morning until early afternoon, so it fits a first meeting in the afternoon. Buonasera is used from late afternoon onwards, and Buonanotte is only a farewell at night. Arrivederci is a way of saying goodbye, not a greeting on meeting.

Question 27School assessment (internal assessment)

What is the correct indefinite article for the noun 'studente'?

  1. una
  2. un
  3. uno Correct answer.
  4. un'

Explanation

Masculine nouns beginning with 'st' take the indefinite article 'uno', as in 'uno studente'. The article 'un' is used before most masculine nouns that begin with a vowel or a single consonant. 'Una' and 'un'' are feminine forms.

Question 28School assessment (internal assessment)

Which number corresponds to the written form 'ottantadue'?

  1. 72
  2. 82 Correct answer.
  3. 92
  4. 28

Explanation

Ottantadue is formed from ottanta (80) plus due (2), giving 82. Italian numbers above 20 are usually written as one word, joining the tens and units. Therefore 72 is settantadue and 92 is novantadue.

Question 29School assessment (internal assessment)

Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'Mio fratello ___ medico.'

  1. è Correct answer.
  2. ha
  3. sei
  4. sono

Explanation

The verb essere is used to state a profession, and the third-person singular form is 'è'. The subject 'mio fratello' is singular, so 'sono' and 'sei' do not agree. 'Ha' means 'has' and does not fit the meaning of the sentence.

Question 30School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the verb 'avere' to talk about age?

  1. Faccio quindici anni.
  2. Ho quindici anni. Correct answer.
  3. Sto quindici anni.
  4. Sono quindici anni.

Explanation

In Italian, age is expressed with the verb avere and the number of years: 'Ho quindici anni'. The verb essere is not used for age, and 'fare' is only used for birthdays or in specific expressions. 'Stare' does not express age.

Question 31School assessment (internal assessment)

What is the correct plural form of 'il libro'?

  1. i libri Correct answer.
  2. le libri
  3. gli libri
  4. la libri

Explanation

The definite article for masculine nouns beginning with a consonant is 'il' in the singular and 'i' in the plural. 'Libro' becomes 'libri' in the plural. Therefore 'i libri' is correct.

Question 32School assessment (internal assessment)

Which question word correctly completes: '___ è la tua materia preferita?'

  1. Dove
  2. Chi
  3. Quale Correct answer.
  4. Quando

Explanation

'Quale' means 'which' and is used to ask someone to choose among options, as in asking which school subject is their favourite. 'Chi' means 'who', 'dove' means 'where', and 'quando' means 'when', none of which fit the meaning here.

Question 33School assessment (internal assessment)

Which response correctly answers 'Di dove sei?'

  1. Sono italiano.
  2. Sono di Roma. Correct answer.
  3. Vengo dall'Italia.
  4. Abito in Italia.

Explanation

'Di dove sei?' literally asks 'Of where are you?', so the natural answer gives the city or town of origin with 'di', for example 'Sono di Roma'. Stating nationality or saying where you live does not directly answer the question about origin. 'Vengo dall'Italia' answers 'Da dove vieni?' rather than 'Di dove sei?'.

Question 34School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the present tense of 'andare'?

  1. Vai al cinema stasera.
  2. Vado al cinema stasera. Correct answer.
  3. Va al cinema stasera.
  4. Ando al cinema stasera.

Explanation

The verb andare is irregular in the present tense: io vado, tu vai, lui/lei va. The first-person singular form is 'vado', so 'Vado al cinema stasera' is correct. 'Ando' is not a correct form, and 'vai' and 'va' are second- and third-person forms.

Question 35School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the passato prossimo of 'mangiare'?

  1. Ho mangiato la pizza. Correct answer.
  2. Ho mangiare la pizza.
  3. Sono mangiato la pizza.
  4. Ho mangio la pizza.

Explanation

The passato prossimo is formed with the present tense of avere or essere plus the past participle. For mangiare, the auxiliary is avere and the past participle is 'mangiato', so 'Ho mangiato la pizza' is correct. The other options combine the auxiliary with the wrong verb form.

Question 36School assessment (internal assessment)

What is the meaning of 'Il supermercato è vicino alla farmacia'?

  1. The supermarket is inside the pharmacy.
  2. The supermarket is behind the pharmacy.
  3. The supermarket is far from the pharmacy.
  4. The supermarket is next to the pharmacy. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Vicino a' means 'near' or 'next to', so the sentence says the supermarket is near the pharmacy. 'Lontano da' would mean far from, and 'dietro' would mean behind. 'Dentro' would mean inside.

Question 37School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the direct object pronoun to replace 'i biglietti'?

  1. Gli ho comprati.
  2. Li ho comprati. Correct answer.
  3. L'ho comprati.
  4. Le ho comprati.

Explanation

The direct object pronoun for masculine plural nouns is 'li', so 'i biglietti' becomes 'li'. With the passato prossimo, the past participle agrees with the preceding direct object pronoun, giving 'comprati'. The other pronouns do not match masculine plural.

Question 38School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the verb 'piacere' with a singular noun?

  1. Mi piacciono la musica.
  2. Mi piaci la musica.
  3. Mi piacere la musica.
  4. Mi piace la musica. Correct answer.

Explanation

With 'piacere', the thing liked is the subject, so a singular noun takes the third-person singular 'piace'. 'La musica' is singular, so 'Mi piace la musica' is correct. 'Piacciono' is used with plural subjects.

Question 39School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the comparative of inequality?

  1. Roma è più grande che Firenze.
  2. Roma è più grande come Firenze.
  3. Roma è più grande a Firenze.
  4. Roma è più grande di Firenze. Correct answer.

Explanation

The comparative of inequality is formed with 'più ... di' when comparing two different things or people. Before a simple noun like 'Firenze', 'di' is the correct preposition. 'Che' is used when comparing two qualities or verbs, not two nouns.

Question 40School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the adverb 'molto' to modify an adjective?

  1. Sono molta stanco.
  2. Sono molto stanco. Correct answer.
  3. Sono molto stanchi.
  4. Sono molti stanco.

Explanation

When 'molto' modifies an adjective, it is an adverb and remains invariable, so it does not change form: 'Sono molto stanco'. It only agrees in gender and number when it modifies a noun as an adjective, as in 'molti libri'.

Question 41School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the imperative form 'Lei' (formal)?

  1. Prendere questa medicina.
  2. Prenda questa medicina. Correct answer.
  3. Prendete questa medicina.
  4. Prendi questa medicina.

Explanation

The formal imperative for 'Lei' uses the third-person singular subjunctive form, which for -ere verbs like prendere ends in -a: 'Prenda'. 'Prendi' is informal singular, 'prendete' is informal plural, and 'prendere' is the infinitive.

Question 42School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the imperfect tense to describe a habitual action in the past?

  1. Da bambino, sono andato sempre al parco.
  2. Da bambino, andrò sempre al parco.
  3. Da bambino, vado sempre al parco.
  4. Da bambino, andavo sempre al parco. Correct answer.

Explanation

The imperfect tense is used for habitual or repeated actions in the past, so 'andavo' correctly describes a childhood habit. The passato prossimo would suggest a single completed action, and the future or present tenses do not fit 'da bambino'.

Question 43School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the future tense to express a plan?

  1. Domani partirò per la Sicilia. Correct answer.
  2. Domani partivo per la Sicilia.
  3. Domani parto per la Sicilia.
  4. Domani partirei per la Sicilia.

Explanation

The future tense 'partirò' expresses a plan or intention for a future time, matching 'domani'. The present tense can sometimes be used for the near future, but the future tense is the clearest choice here. 'Partivo' is imperfect and 'partirei' is conditional.

Question 44School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses a reflexive verb in the passato prossimo?

  1. Sono alzato tardi.
  2. Mi ho alzato tardi.
  3. Ho alzato tardi.
  4. Mi sono alzato tardi. Correct answer.

Explanation

Reflexive verbs take the auxiliary essere in the passato prossimo, and the past participle agrees with the subject: 'Mi sono alzato'. The reflexive pronoun 'mi' is required before the auxiliary. 'Ho alzato' would mean 'I lifted' without the reflexive meaning.

Question 45School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the pronoun 'ne'?

  1. Ho comprati ne tre.
  2. Ne ho comprato tre.
  3. Ne ho comprati tre. Correct answer.
  4. Ho ne comprati tre.

Explanation

The pronoun 'ne' replaces a partitive phrase like 'di questi libri' and comes before the verb. With the passato prossimo, the past participle agrees with the quantity expressed by 'ne': 'Ne ho comprati tre'. The other options place 'ne' incorrectly or fail to make the participle agree.

Question 46School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the conditional to make a polite request?

  1. Potrai aiutarmi, per favore?
  2. Puoi aiutarmi, per favore?
  3. Potresti aiutarmi, per favore? Correct answer.
  4. Potevi aiutarmi, per favore?

Explanation

The conditional 'potresti' is used to make polite requests, softening the directness of the present tense 'puoi'. The future 'potrai' refers to future ability, and the imperfect 'potevi' refers to past ability or habit. Therefore 'Potresti aiutarmi' is the most polite and appropriate form.

Question 47School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the passive voice with 'da'?

  1. Il libro ha stato scritto da uno scrittore famoso.
  2. Il libro è scritto da uno scrittore famoso.
  3. Il libro è stato scritto da uno scrittore famoso. Correct answer.
  4. Il libro è stato scritto per uno scrittore famoso.

Explanation

The passive voice is formed with essere plus the past participle, and the agent is introduced by 'da'. In the passato prossimo passive, 'è stato scritto' is correct. 'Per' would mean 'for' rather than 'by'.

Question 48School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive after a verb of opinion?

  1. Penso che lui sia italiano. Correct answer.
  2. Penso che lui sarà italiano.
  3. Penso che lui essere italiano.
  4. Penso che lui è italiano.

Explanation

Verbs of opinion such as 'pensare che' require the subjunctive in the dependent clause. The present subjunctive of essere for lui/lei is 'sia', so 'Penso che lui sia italiano' is correct. The indicative 'è' is common in informal speech but not standard in careful written Italian.

Question 49School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the gerund to express a progressive action?

  1. Sto studiando l'italiano. Correct answer.
  2. Sto studiare l'italiano.
  3. Sono studiando l'italiano.
  4. Ho studiando l'italiano.

Explanation

The progressive construction 'stare + gerund' expresses an action in progress: 'sto studiando'. The verb 'stare' is conjugated and the gerund remains invariable. 'Sono' and 'ho' are not used as auxiliaries in this construction.

Question 50School assessment (internal assessment)

Which sentence correctly uses the trapassato prossimo?

  1. Quando sono arrivato, lui è già partito.
  2. Quando sono arrivato, lui era già partito. Correct answer.
  3. Quando sono arrivato, lui sarebbe già partito.
  4. Quando sono arrivato, lui fu già partito.

Explanation

The trapassato prossimo (imperfect of avere/essere + past participle) expresses an action that happened before another past action. 'Era già partito' correctly shows that he had already left before I arrived. The passato prossimo 'è partito' would suggest simultaneous or subsequent action, and the other forms are not appropriate here.